Textbooks definitely have their place, but if we're being honest, they can be a bit boring. Since kids tend to learn best when they're interested and engaged, I try to keep textbook style learning to a minimum and incorporate a lot of hands-on and "outside the box" type learning. In this post I share some of my favorite ways to study history without textbooks or worksheets. Visit Historical Sites Visiting historical sites in your area or while you're on road trips is an excellent way to make history come alive. A quick Google search for "historical sites near me" should give you lots of ideas.  Go Antiquing Visit antique shops, thrift stores, and yard sales. Let your kids choose historical items to purchase and then research about them! Watch Documentaries Historical documentaries are an easy way to sneak in a little extra learning. Check any streaming services you subscribe to for interesting ones to check out! Visit History Museums Most cities have mus...

  My kids chose to study mushrooms this year, so I put together this mushroom study pack. I hope you all enjoy it as much as my family did! Printable Mushroom Mini Study Learn about different types of fungi, mushroom anatomy, fungi lifecycles, mushroom characteristics, and mushroom identification with this printable 12-page study pack. This pack includes vocabulary words, 4 informational reading sheets, a mushroom anatomy coloring sheet, a mushroom lifecycle diagram, a crossword puzzle, a Venn diagram, tips for identifying mushrooms, a nature journaling sheet, and a list of additional resources to check out. Grab it here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mushroom-Mini-Study-11726047 You may also want to check out: Dandelion Mini Study Follow me on: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Teachers Pay Teachers

A lot of kids and homeschool parents dread math lessons. It's one of those subjects that is hard to teach without a lot of worksheets and textbooks. And if we're being honest, worksheets and textbooks tend to be boring, and it's hard to keep kids engaged in boring activities. That's why I'm always on the hunt for fun and hands-on ways to practice math skills.  In this post I share all of my favorite nature-based math activities, perfect for all the little nature lovers out there! Tree measurements Use a tape measure to measure and record a tree's circumference, height, and crown spread.  How to measure circumference : Arborist typically measure circumference at a height of 4.5 feet. Measure 4.5 feet up the tree, starting from the ground. Then at that height, use the tape measure to measure all the way around the trunk. That measurement is the circumference. How to calculate a tree's height: You can calculate a tree's height using basic trigonometry. Sta...

On April 8th a solar eclipse is going to occur over North America. The 120-mile-long path of totality will touch 15 U.S. states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's light and causing a shadow to be cast upon the Earth. For a solar eclipse to occur, the sun, the moon, and the Earth have to be in perfect alignment. Below are some activities and learning resources to help you prepare your kids for the upcoming solar eclipse. Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids Printable Eclipse Activity Pack My printable Eclipse Activity Pack includes diagrams, reading sheets, vocabulary words, a crossword puzzle, an eclipse journaling sheet, 2 flip books, a cut and paste paper eclipse model, and more! Grab it here:  Printable Eclipse Activity Pack . Solar Eclipse Videos • Solar Eclipse 101  ...

Exploring in nature can provide a wonderful foundation for your family's science lessons. All you need is a wild space (or just a backyard or neighborhood park) to explore, some simple journaling supplies, and a few resources for researching about all the interesting things that you come across. Why Study Nature? Nature study is a wonderful way to add more science to your homeschool days. There is so much to be learned by just observing the natural world around us. Nature study requires very little planning and supplies, so it's easy for parents to facilitate. Ki ds tend to be instictivley curious about the world around them, so it's easy to get them on board. It's also a good way to slow down and appreciate the beauty of God's creations. How to Get Started Just grab a journal or some paper on a clipboard and some colored pencils or watercolor supplies, and head outside. Choose a spot and observe the plant and wildlife that you see. Have your kids draw, paint, photo...

My family happens to live in the path of totality for next month's solar eclipse, so to make sure my kids understand what an eclipse is and how they happen, I put together this fun eclipse activity pack. I hope you all enjoy it as much as my girls did! Printable Eclipse Activity Pack Learn all about solar and lunar eclipses with this 15-page printable activity and learning pack. This pack includes two reading sheets, two diagrams/posters, vocabulary words, a crossword puzzle, two flip books, a cut and paste paper solar eclipse model activity, an art activity, instructions for making a pinhole viewer, an eclipse journaling sheet, and a list of additional resources to check out. Grab it here:  Printable Eclipse Activity Pack Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers Facebook Instagram Pinterest

  Do your kids love dandelions? Mine can't get enough of these lovely spring flowers, so I put together this simple dandelion study for them. I'm hoping you will all enjoy it as much as my family did! Printable Dandelion Mini Study Learn all about dandelion anatomy, the lifecycle of a dandelion, dandelion seeds, and more with this 12-page printable study pack. This pack includes vocabulary words, 4 informational reading sheets, a dandelion anatomy diagram/poster, a dandelion anatomy coloring/worksheet, a math activity, a nature journaling activity, a crossword puzzle, and a list of additional resources to check out. Grab it here :  Dandelion Mini Study by The Barefoot Mom | TPT (teacherspayteachers.com) For more fun dandelion activity ideas, check out this blog post:  Dandelion Investigation Follow me on: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Teachers Pay Teachers